Fresh Batch of Segways Hot Off the Geek Lot
Filed under: Gadgets
Mouthing the new piece of techie wisdom “The best interface is no interface at all” at every lip-smacking opportunity, Segway Chief Technology Officer Doug Field says using the newly released overhauled Segway personal transporters is much like skiing. To steer the device, the rider only has to lean in the desired direction.
The ultimate symbol of tech geekiness, the pricey Segways still cost an arm and a leg, which are precisely the body parts you need to use the darned expensive things. But if you have piles of disposable income and don’t really mind segregating your upwardly mobile self from the rest of the car-riding population, the new Segways have wonderful things to offer:
“The new version of the Segway Personal Transporter also comes with a wireless device that lets the user start it by remote control and receive an alert if it has been disturbed while left unattended.
It also has a sleeker, more futuristic design than its predecessor, and a starting retail price of $4,995. A more rugged version meant for off-road use has a starting price of $5,495.
Like the original version, the rider still stands on a platform between two wheels and holds onto a handlebar supported by a stem that rises vertically from the base. But all of the electronics and wires have been removed from the top part of the machine.
…
The key to the new steering technology, Field said, is at the pivot point between the stem and the base, where a group of sensors “reads your body angle” and communicates the information to the software that controls what direction it travels.
The other major update is a wireless controller called the InfoKey which has four buttons and an LCD screen and looks like a large digital watch. It’s used to turn the scooter on, but also serves as “trip computer” with such functions as an odometer, speedometer and battery gauge.
It also can be used to activate an anti-theft alarm for when an owner leaves the device unattended. If the device is disturbed while the anti-theft feature is activated, the Segway locks up, sounds an alarm and sends a notice to its owner over the InfoKey.”
SEGWAY LAUNCHES OVERHAULED SCOOTER [CBS]
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